Craving Carbs? 4 Healthy Ways to Eat Pasta

When you’re in the mood for carbs – and pasta in particular – nothing else will do. (We know all too well, trust us!) But don’t let a comfort food craving cause you to indulge in a heavy meal that you’ll probably end up regretting. Here are four quick-and-easy dishes that have all the great flavor of your favorite classic pasta meals, but with much less fat and calories.

Linguine With Escarole, Shrimp, and Cherry Tomatoes: This robust, flavorful meal will have your dinner guests thinking you spent all day simmering a sauce from scratch. Yet this recipe, which incorporates shrimp for lean protein and lots of fiber-rich veggies (including esacraole, a tasty but slightly bitter green that’s used in many Italian dishes) is fast and foolproof. Once the pasta is boiled, the rest comes together in minutes in a sauté pan.

Orecchiette With Beans and Broccoli: Here’s another light, Italian-style meal that comes together quickly in a sauté pan. A colorful blend of tomatoes, pepper, broccoli , and protein-rich cannellini beans is mixed together with orecchiette (or any short pasta) and topped with Parmesan cheese for a comforting meal that makes a great next-day lunch.

Cherry Tomato Pesto Penne: This incredibly simple recipe is packed with zesty flavor thanks to pesto sauce, fresh basil, and sliced cherry tomatoes. We suggest using whole-grain or whole-wheat penne, which will add heart-healthy fiber to your meal and keep you feeling full longer; you can also add sliced grilled chicken for a dose of satisfying protein.

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese: This version of mac and cheese is low in calories and fat but somehow manages to maintain all the cheesey goodness of the real thing. In addition to white cheddar and parmesan cheese, the delicious creamy sauce includes puréed butternut squash adding fiber, potassium, and vitamins to your meal. The best part? It’s ready in 10 minutes.

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What To Eat

Stuck for a dinner idea tonight? Need an easy potluck recipe, a diet-friendly dessert, or just a new lunch idea for the kids? Check in daily at What to Eat, where you’ll discover delicious, easy-to-prepare...read more

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